Kailh Box Jade vs. TTC Silent Frozen (V2)
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Kailh Box Jade and the TTC Silent Frozen, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct typing experiences. The Box Jade is perfect for those seeking a medium-heavy typing feel, accompanied by a satisfying clicky sound profile and noticeable tactile feedback. Its high-pitched and accented characteristics create an invigorating typing sensation, with the added crunchiness of its tactile bumps. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen stands out for its incredibly quiet sound profile, offering a peaceful typing environment. This linear switch is exceptionally smooth, providing a pillowy type feel to your keystrokes. Its thocky and low-pitched nature creates a creamy and buttery typing experience. While these generalities can help steer you in the right direction, let us now delve deeper into the nuances of each switch, allowing you to make an informed decision on the best switch for your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
39g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Silver white spring
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Jade and the TTC Silent Frozen, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This choice of material brings similar qualities to the switches, such as a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the transparency of polycarbonate allows for compatibility with RGB lighting, making it visually appealing for users who want to add a touch of color to their keyboards.
Where the switches differ in housing materials is at the bottom housing. The Box Jade incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon being a softer plastic, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller yet rounder sound. In contrast, the Silent Frozen features a polycarbonate bottom housing, matching its top housing. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, maintaining consistency with the rest of the switch's overall sound.
When using these switches, the difference in housing materials between the top and bottom will affect the overall sound and feel. Pressing down on either switch will allow you to experience the qualities of the bottom housing, with the Box Jade providing a more impactful bottom-out sound and feel due to its nylon housing. Conversely, the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate bottom housing will contribute to a consistent sound when the key is released.
In summary, while both the Kailh Box Jade and the TTC Silent Frozen share polycarbonate as their top housing material, they diverge in their choice of bottom housing. The Box Jade utilizes a softer nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. In contrast, the Silent Frozen employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, maintaining consistency with its overall sound profile. Understanding the influence of each housing material on sound and feel will assist users in selecting the switch that best suits their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Box Jade has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Silent Frozen's lighter force of 39 grams. This means that with the Box Jade, a slightly stronger push is needed to initiate a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Box Jade requires 60 grams, while the Silent Frozen requires 43 grams. This indicates that the Box Jade provides a more substantial typing experience, as it requires more force to fully press down the key. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen offers a lighter and potentially gentler typing experience. It is worth noting that if both switches have the same actuation and bottom out force, the results will be similar in terms of feel and force required. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on individual preference, with some favoring a lighter weight for longer typing sessions, and others opting for a heavier push for a more pronounced typing experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the most traditional 4.0 mm and the shallowest 3.0 mm travel distances. This indicates that both switches fall within the spectrum of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their faster response times. If you prioritize a more responsive typing experience, either switch would provide similar results. However, it's worth noting that some individuals may find the shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm in the TTC Silent Frozen switch to feel slightly more abrupt compared to the 3.6 mm travel distance of the Kailh Box Jade switch. For those who prefer a deeper key press, the longer travel distance offered by the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch would be the better choice.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Frozen (V2) has an MSRP of $8.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Frozen (V2) for $5.33.
The Kailh Box Jade comes in at $5.50 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch is best known for its medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and tactility. The switch produces a high-pitched sound, which is sharp and crisp when pressed. It is often preferred by those who enjoy a more rich and bassy sound profile. Additionally, the Box Jade switch has a crunchy feel, resembling the sound of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. This combination of sound and feel creates a satisfying and immersive typing sensation, perfect for those who prefer a tactile and clicky experience.
On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch is characterized by its extremely quiet sound profile and super smooth feel. The switch produces a thocky sound, which is deep, rich, and satisfying when pressed. It has a low-pitched tone, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. With a muted sound profile, the Silent Frozen switch minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. In terms of feel, the Silent Frozen switch offers a creamy and buttery typing experience. It feels smooth and fluid, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. Additionally, it has a feathery light actuation force, reducing finger fatigue and making it comfortable for extended typing sessions.
Considering the information provided, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Box Jade provides a more medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and crunchy tactile bumps. It is best suited for those who enjoy a pronounced feedback and immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen switch offers an extremely quiet sound profile, smooth and buttery feel, and a feathery light actuation force. It is ideal for those who prefer a silent and fluid typing experience. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. It is important to consider personal preferences regarding sound, feel, and typing experience when choosing between the two switches. However, if you prefer the sound and feel of the Box Jade but want a quieter experience, you can explore options such as adding o-rings or using a quieter keyboard case to achieve similar results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are someone who values a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and prominent tactility, the Kailh Box Jade switches would be an excellent choice for you. The crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps they offer ensure a satisfying typing sensation. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet sound profile and super smooth keystrokes with a pillowy feel, the TTC Silent Frozen switches would be the ideal option. These switches provide an extremely quiet typing experience while maintaining a light bottom out force. Additionally, the Silent Frozen switches offer various descriptors such as thocky, low-pitched, and muted, ensuring a deep, rich, and soft sound when pressed. The Box Jade switches, on the other hand, offer descriptors like high-pitched and crunchy, producing a sharp and crisp sound while typing. In terms of feel, the Box Jade switches are accented and invigorating, while the Silent Frozen switches offer a creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your specific preferences and requirements for typing.
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